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See also, Viking Crash Research News

Registration or Serial: G-AIVE

Operator: British European Airways (BEA)

Operating Base: London (Northolt) Airport

Base Location: Ruislip, Middlesex

Current Airport Status: Operational Military Airport; VIP Transport Service.

Current Airport Name: RAF Northolt

(Principal airport data courtesy of John Woodside, A Catalogue of UK Airfields)

Aircraft Type Acronym: VC=Vickers Commercial

Aircraft Type & Background

A civilian aircraft operated by British European Airways (later incorporated within British Airways)

The design of the Vickers Viking was derived from Vickers Wellington bomber. The Viking was a twin-engine medium-range aircraft, capable of accommodating 21-24 passengers, depending on the variant. Later variants could accommodate more passengers.

The Viking 1B variant, which carried 24 passengers, was equipped with two Bristol Hercules 634 14-cylinder radial air-cooled piston engines. The aircraft's maximum speed was about 423km/h (263mph).

Aircraft Accident Details

This aircraft had started its journey from London Northolt airport (c.6 miles from the present Heathrow) and was about to make its final approach to its destination airport—the former Glasgow Renfrew aerodrome.

Apparently, however, the pilot experienced some difficulty in locating the landing approach beacon. This situation was exacerbated by severe turbulence together with low cloud and mist over the hills. Consequently, the pilot began his descent either too early in, or too far north of, his approach pattern causing him to strike the hillside at Irish Law.

Fortunately, the 16 passengers and 4 crew escaped serious injury, and managed to make their way clear of the stricken aircraft just before it was engulfed in flames.

Although shocked and badly shaken, the pilot—Captain John Ramsden of Glasgow—and one of the passengers managed to make their way westward across the rugged moorland in the darkness. Three hours later, they arrived at Largs, where they raised the alarm. Meanwhile, some of the other survivors, led by First Officer D. P. Clifton, had managed to reach Flatt Farm in Largs.

Other members of the group sought help in the opposite direction. From Irish Law, and with the aid of a miniature compass, they made their way eastward to Ladyland House near Kilbirnie, where they sought assistance for their plight.

Accident Date

21 April 1948

Accident Site

Irish Law

Region: North Ayrshire

Nearest town or village: Largs

Lying at the N base of Irish Law on the North Ayrshire hills, c.4 miles (c.6 km) E of Largs.

Garmin GPS: NS 26140 59225 (empennage or tail assy.)

Garmin GPS: NS 26069 59195(wings & nacelles)

OS Grid Ref: 63 / NS 260593

Hillwalking Notes

Easily accessible low rising moorland / hill slopes with some rough or boggy ground in places.

Full hill walking equipment recommended, including map & compass (GPS optional). All hill areas subject to fluctuating weather conditions with extensive mist at times.

Present Condition

Substantial parts of the fuselage, wings, engines, nacelles and landing gear can be found onsite.

Related Links

• Alternative website photos

• Brief Accident Report

• Vickers Viking at Wikipedia

Video Clips

• Steve White's 2007 Video at YouTube

• Steve White's 2006 Video at YouTube

Other Links

• Vickers Viking at British Eagle (Dave Cotterell)

• Vickers Viking at Brooklands Museum (Weybridge, Surrey)

Right: This image shows a Vickers Viking 1A aircraft, registration G-AHOP 'Valerie'. In September 1946, this BEA aircraft began the first scheduled flight between London and Copenhagen.

The Vickers Viking 1B variant featured below was about a year old when it crashed.

All photos in this section were kindly provided by
Danny J Parkinson
and are used here by permission.

Below: A photo taken in October 2007 of Vickers Viking G-AIVE lying on the hillside at Irish Law. In this photo, remains of the engine, nacelle and landing gear tyre can be seen. Other remains lie scattered across this area.

The aircraft remains have now lain on this hillside for over 60 years.

Photo: 2007 Danny J Parkinson

Right: The Viking wreckage viewed from the rear, with a detached section lying near the centre-left of the picture.

Below: the principal sections now remaining.

• Below left: Remains of the left engine/nacelle.

• Below right: Remains of the right engine/nacelle.

• Below centre distant: detached engine cowling (?) (See close-up photos further down this page).

Photos: 2007 Danny J Parkinson

All photos in this section were kindly provided by
Stevie
and are used here by permission.

Above: A closer view of one of the Viking nacelles or engine housings.

Photo: 2007 Stevie

Above: Viking nacelle, engine, and part of the wing structure.

Photo: 2007 Stevie

Below: Detached wreckage from Vickers Viking.

Photo: 2007 Stevie

GPS data and video links above,
and all photos in this section were kindly provided by
Steve White
and are used here by permission.

Above: Overall view of the Vickers Viking wreck as it appeared in April 2007

Photo 2007 S. White

Above: Detached wreckage from the Viking. The mainframe can be seen in the background.

Photo: 2007 S. White

Below: Close-up view of detached wreckage

Photo: 2007 S. White

Below: Another section detached from the mainframe.

Photo: 2007 S. White

Above: The remains of one of the two power plants used by the Viking.

Photo: 2007 S. White

See also G. Metra's photo below, taken from a different angle.

Unless otherwise indicated, all photos in this section
were kindly provided by
Giovanni Metra
and are used here by permission.

Photo: 2006 G. Metra

Photo: 2006 G. Metra

Photo: 2006 G. Metra

Photo: 2006 G. Metra

All photos in this section were kindly provided by
Steve White
and are used here by permission.

Above: Detached wreckage from Vickers Viking.

Photo: 2006 S. White

Left: Close-up view of detached wreckage, showing some names & dates of site visitors.

Among the inscriptions is one by a group from the ATC (Air Training Corps) who were regular visitors to these crash sites.

Another inscription near the top right hand corner appears to be dated 1947. However, the aircraft did not crash until April 1948!

Photo: 2006 S. White

Above: Remains of right engine (power plant) and nacelle.

Photo: 2006 S. White

Photo: 2006 S. White

Below: Another view of right nacelle.

Photo: 2006 S. White

Above: Overview of wreck at 2006, with right nacelle in the foreground, and detached wreckage in right background (compare with photo below left)

Note that the landing gear wheel is still in the retracted position (recessed black tyre underneath nacelle).

Photo: 2006 S. White

Left: Overview of the same wreck as it appeared in 1974. Although viewed from a different perspective, this photo, taken over 30 years ago, shows a significantly more intact structure at that time.

It appears that pieces of the wreckage have been removed from the site over the years.

Photo: 1974 G. Lyons

Above: Close-up of the right engine showing propeller shaft & other connections, etc.

Photo: 2006 S. White

Below: Close-up of landing gear tyre. The rubber tread is still quite evident, even after 60 years of exposure to the elements on the Largs hills.

Photo: 2006 S. White

Above: Remains of the wings and engine housings or nacelles.

This photo was taken in 1974, but by that time much of the aircraft had disintegrated. Clearly, however, it must have escaped serious impact damage when the accident occurred in 1948, since—of the 16 passengers and 4 crew—there were no fatalities.

Photo: 1974 G. Lyons

Below: One of the two engine housings or nacelles, with other wreckage lying a short distance away.

In this picture, Misty Law can be seen in the far distance.

Photo: 1974 G. Lyons

Below: Close-up of right engine housing or nacelle.

As can be seen, this (and other) aircraft wrecks have been adorned with various inscriptions by the many visitors to these sites.

Photo: 1989 G. Lyons

Above: Engine housing (nacelle) and wings section.

Photo: 1989 G. Lyons

Forward to pages 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8  (Special Features)

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